Rachel has a degree in history from Oxford Brookes and an MA in Law from the University of Bristol. With volunteering and charity work in her genes, she decided to join our team in Newton Abbot one day a week. This is how she will gain valuable experience and knowledge for her future career as a solicitor:
This has been such an eye-opener. You’ll be surprised to know that, despite studying law, I’ve never been in a Court of Law before. My MA in law comes to life when I sit with our clients in court. I’m learning so much by observing the huge variety of cases.
The CASS+ team has organised my volunteering hours for when the District Judge sits. I see everything from football hooliganism to driving offenses. People get very tied up in knots when they don’t understand the legal language – we can’t give legal advice, but my law degree has definitely come in handy.
Court is stressful
The waiting area can be a tough environment for anyone.
One lovely lady was having panic attacks and when we sat down with her, we discovered a complicated web of abuse, homelessness and drink driving. These were the real reasons for her attending Court. We stayed by her side and sorted out her benefits.
Helping people deal with the reasons for being in court
CASS+ recently invited me to their Prison Awareness Training Day at P.A.T.H. headquarters in Plymouth. This has helped me understand what people go through in prison and the extent of community support they need on release.
Invaluable skills, knowledge and experience
As a young person fresh out of university, I’m so thankful to get this real interaction with everyone at court, from clients, to their families, right through to the solicitors, probation and social workers. I now understand the role of each service. When I hear the reasons for someone coming through the doors of the court, I see the hugely complicated issues many people face as a result of social disadvantage. It’s very rewarding to find solutions for clients as part of the CASS+ team.
We’re looking for volunteers, including trustees and associate trustees
Find out more about our team here.
Find out more about our trustees here.
Please contact admin@cassplus.org if you would like to strengthen this team inside the courts in Newton Abbot, Plymouth, Bodmin and Truro.
